Little did she know, her instincts weren’t far off-Collin and Dustin were indeed talking about her.
Almost reflexively, her eyes flicked towards Cynthia.
Linsey caught her seemingly disengaged from her work, huddled with a few colleagues. They were chatting with enthusiasm, sneaking glances at her every so often.
Linsey’s brows knitted together in irritation. It seemed some people never learned their lesson, continuing to fuel the gossip about her.
Deciding to rise above the petty office politics, Linsey submerged herself back into her workload.
However, her attempt at focus was abruptly interrupted when Coen approached her desk, his face etched with gravity. “Linsey, come to my office,” he stated firmly.
As she rose from her chair, Linsey’s eyes inadvertently met Cynthia’s across the room. The sight of Cynthia’s self-satisfied smirk sent a shiver of anxiety through her. What on earth could be going on?
Linsey churned through a whirlwind of thoughts, but still followed Coen into the seclusion of his office with a tentative step. As he closed the door with a soft click, he reached for a file sprawled across the desk and extended it toward her.
“This is a major client’s order, and it’s now in your hands. I trust you’ll uphold the standards of our department,” Coen stated, his voice carrying a mix of command and expectation.
The assignment took Linsey by surprise, her eyes widening slightly. Her heart thudded with a sudden rush of excitement mixed with a pinch of anxiety.
“Really? Even though I’m still within my probation period?” she queried, her voice tinged with disbelief as she accepted the file, her fingers brushing lightly against the paper.
Coen met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “Exactly, Linsey. Consider this a pivotal test of your probation. Perform poorly, and we may have to reconsider your position here. So, I urge you to pour your utmost dedication into this.”
Linsey’s excitement was laced with a palpable nervous tension. She was stepping into uncharted territory, her first substantial responsibility since she had joined the company.
“Coen, I’m a little nervous. Without much practical experience, I’m not sure I’ll be able to do my best,” she remarked, her eyes earnest and seeking reassurance. “In case I run into any problems, would it be alright to turn to you for help?”
As he observed her genuine concern, Coen’s eyebrow arched slightly, a hint of approval flickering across his features. Feeling good, Coen decided to offer a few more helpful suggestions.
“Of course. While this is your responsibility, don’t hesitate to lean on your colleagues or engage directly with the client. It’s crucial to maintain open lines of communication.”
“Alright, thank you, Coen.” Linsey exited the office, clutching the file close to her chest.
Her words weren’t meant to butter up Coen. Everything she said came from the heart. Despite her long-standing familiarity with fashion design, this was her first venture into handling a client’s design request on her own. Her inexperience was palpable, and she knew she had to consult with seasoned colleagues before diving in.
Coen’s aloof demeanor was one hurdle, but her own proactive approach to seeking guidance was another challenge altogether.
If she nailed this project, not only would it bolster her confidence, but Coen, her supervisor, would also reap the rewards.
Linsey had to figure out the best ways and resources that worked for her. Determined, she vowed to draw on every strength she possessed to excel in this assignment.
As Linsey navigated through the maze of desks, a mocking tone cut through the buzz of the office.
“Look who’s finally got an order. Took you long enough,” Cynthia scoffed disdainfully.
Maintaining her poise, Linsey strode by, choosing to let Cynthia’s barb fade into the quiet rhythm of the office. Unwilling to back off, Cynthia pressed on.
“Linsey, you’d better brace yourself. I’ve heard the client you’re dealing with is tough to satisfy and even knows the company’s founder personally. The poor souls who’ve tried working with her before were so exasperated, they couldn’t stand it anymore.”
She clicked her tongue and taunted, “It’s only a matter of time before you follow them out the door. What a pity, since we both started here on the same day.”
Linsey halted abruptly, spinning around to face Cynthia, whose lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk.
It dawned on Linsey that this had been the hot topic of conversation among Cynthia and her clique earlier. There was no doubt in her mind. Cynthia and these people were just sitting around, waiting for her to make a complete fool of herself. Despite the sting of Cynthia’s words, Linsey maintained her composure, her voice steady and resolute.
“Don’t waste your energy worrying about me. I’m certain I’ll get this done.”
Linsey turned on her heel and strode back to her desk. She dove into her research, her focus sharpened to a fine point, determined to excel. Cynthia, seeing her attempt to unsettle Linsey fail, felt a surge of rage. She clenched her jaw tightly, eyes narrowing as a cunning plan began to take shape in her mind.
It wasn’t over yet; she was hell-bent on ruining Linsey and throwing her out of CR Corporation.
Linsey was utterly absorbed in her work, oblivious to the fading day outside her office window. One by one, her colleagues had drifted away, their desks now empty, leaving only silence around her. She remained anchored in her chair, her focus unwavering.
As dusk settled into darkness, her phone vibrated sharply against the desk. Linsey, still locked onto her computer screen, reached out instinctively and snagged the phone. She answered without a glance.
“Hello, who is this?”
A pause hung on the other end, charged with unspoken tension before a voice broke through.
“You still haven’t saved my number?” The unexpected chill in the voice jolted Linsey from her trance.
She blinked, her heart skipping a beat as she recognized the caller.
“Oh, it’s you, Collin,” she said with a relieved laugh, her eyes darting to the caller ID. “Of course, I’ve saved it. I just didn’t look at the screen when I picked up.”
Collin’s tone warmed slightly, a softening shadow in his words. “Where are you now?”
His question was a sharp reminder, a prick of guilt. She was meant to be with him at the Riley family’s birthday celebration tonight. Linsey mentally berated herself for overlooking such a significant event.
“I’m so sorry, Collin! I’ve been buried under work all day and completely forgot,” she admitted, her movements hurried as she began to pack her things and shut down her computer.
Collin, hearing the slight commotion through the phone, couldn’t help but picture Linsey’s flustered expression, a knowing smile curving his lips. He assured her in a warm, even tone, “No worries. Just tell me where you are, and I’ll have someone pick you up right away.”
There was a brief pause before he added gently, “No rush. We have plenty of time.”
His calm assurance seemed to wash over her, soothing her nerves. She responded, her voice now steadier, “Let’s meet at the cafe we met last time. It’s a hassle to find parking near the office.”
“Sure.”
Once the call ended, Linsey quickly grabbed her bag and rushed to the cafe just around the corner.
Soon enough, a sleek car pulled up. She slid into the passenger seat, only to be greeted by a familiar face behind the wheel. Puzzled, she queried, “Where’s Collin?”
“He’s tied up with some urgent matters, Mrs. Riley,” the driver explained politely. “I’ll take you for a quick styling, then he’ll catch up with us soon.”
With a slight nod, Linsey showed her understanding.
Moments later, they arrived at a beauty studio that exuded a subtle elegance, instantly recognizable as a top-tier establishment in Grester, known for its exclusivity. Linsey had heard that gaining access to this studio required not just wealth but significant social prestige.
As she stepped out of the car, a staff member approached her with a welcoming smile. “Mrs. Riley, right this way, please.” She was then ushered into the chic interior.
Puzzled, Linsey couldn’t help but wonder how Collin had secured an appointment at such a sought-after location. He hardly seemed like the kind of person who could owe 100 million dollars. If anything, it appeared as though others were in debt to him for 100 million dollars…
As the party loomed near, Linsey couldn’t afford to waste a moment lost in thought. Swiftly assisted by the attentive staff, she slipped into an exquisite gown and embarked on her transformation.
Emerging in full splendor, Linsey captured the room with her sheer presence. The designers clustered around, their expressions awash with awe.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.